TERRE DES FEMMES, based in Hamburg, Germany, campaigns for gender equality worldwide and combats domestic and sexual violence. One focus is on advocating for sexual and reproductive rights, including safe abortion. However, restrictive laws and social stigmatisation continue to hinder access to these rights. To counteract this, a communication strategy aims to raise awareness and promote dialogue on abortion rights. Using various media channels, the strategy educates women and healthcare professionals and dispels misinformation and stigmatisation. This work is still in progress.

The Problem: Unsafe abortions are one of the most common - but preventable - causes of death for women worldwide. 45% of all abortions are unsafe because medical professionals lack the expertise required due to the taboo surrounding the topic. Every year, 22,800 women die as a result of unsafe abortions. A lot of these womens life could have been saved. 

The Idea: An book that is the centrepiece of an educational platform for healthcare professionals that circumvents the law restricting access to information: using the medium of papayas. Papayas

resemble the uterus of a pregnant woman so closely that abortion methods can be clearly illustrated and practically taught.

Disguised as a cookbook, the instructional book „The Papaya Book“ teaches vital and WHO-recommended methods for safe abortions in countries with restrictive legislation. An online version of the „Papaya Method“ is available on a protected website with instructional videos. The required surgical equipment can also be accessed there as an evidence-based 3D print file or ordered via

a camouflaged parcel. We deliberately target medical professionals and reach them via mailings, postcards, podcasts, posters, social media and in specialist magazines to spread the word about the papaya method and make abortions safe worldwide. And safe the life of women.

Because this work is currently in progress, we can't list results yet.